plate no. 0774

Equality (Money)

Frantisek Kupka, 1902

oilExpressionismallegorical paintingfigureslawcrowdallegorymoneybuilding

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, composition, and creating a sense of depth through value and line work. It also encourages exploration of expressive mark-making and conveying a narrative through visual elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the main figure and the crowd.
step 02
Refine the sketch, paying attention to the proportions and gestures of the figures.
step 03
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 04
Begin applying the base colors, starting with the background and working towards the foreground.
step 05
Develop the details of the main figure, focusing on the texture of the clothing and the facial features.
step 06
Add details to the crowd, using loose brushstrokes to suggest the forms and expressions.
step 07
Refine the values and add highlights to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details and adjust the overall composition as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Achieve the warm, earthy tones by mixing burnt sienna and raw umber. Use cadmium red light and yellow ochre sparingly to add highlights and create a sense of warmth.

techniques

·cross-hatching
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·value shading
·linear perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a clear light source and creating a flat, uninteresting composition.
→Getting bogged down in the details of the figures and losing sight of the overall composition.
→Not using enough contrast in values.